Notre Dame survives UConn in 3 OTs to win Big East outright

South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - Notre Dame continued being a thorn in
Connecticut's side as the second-ranked Fighting Irish outlasted the third-
ranked Huskies, 96-87, in three overtimes to win the Big East regular season
title outright for the second straight year.

Notre Dame (28-1, 16-0 Big East) trailed by six in the first overtime, five in
the second OT and went on an 11-0 run in the final extra session to match a
school record with its 23rd straight win.

Skylar Diggins played all 55 minutes in her final game at Purcell Pavilion and
scored 29 points, while Kayla McBride added 26 and made the Irish's only 3-
pointer late in the first overtime to extend the game.

The Huskies (27-3, 14-2) will be the No. 2 seed in the Big East Tournament as
they try to extend their streak of winning either the regular season or
tournament title for the 20th straight year.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 26 points and Kelly Faris chipped in 21 points
and 13 rebounds for UConn, which committed 35 turnovers in losing for the
sixth time in the last seven meetings against its rival.

It was no more than a two-possession game the last 15 minutes of regulation
and through the first two overtimes. Diggins had a chance to put the Irish on
top at the foul line with 27.2 seconds left in regulation, but split her trip
for a 64-64 tie.

A jump ball with 15.5 showing gave the ball back to Notre Dame, and McBride
missed a shot from the elbow to bring on an extra five minutes.

After scoring the first six points, UConn missed the front end of a 1-and-1
three straight times to keep the Irish within striking distance. Trailing
71-68 in the closing seconds, McBride pulled up from NBA-range and benefited
from a generous bounce to even things again.

Diggins had another shot at pulling out the win in the second overtime with
the score tied, 81-81, but lost the ball on a drive in the lane just before
the buzzer.

Jewell Loyd gave Notre Dame the lead for good, 85-83, with a mid-range jumper
midway through the third overtime. Diggins followed a few possessions later
with a steal and layup, and capped the game-sealing 11-0 flurry with two
free throws to put the finishing touches on her illustrious career in South
Bend.